EAT, AND TO DRINK, AND TO BE MERRY. What else had he seen? observing that no difference is made between the righteous and in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of In the person of a sensual man. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Then I commended mirth,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in another world. Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. God will judge. This new Bible commentary is designed to provide 21st-century scholars, pastors, students, and laity an academically competent, readable commentary in the Wesleyan theological tradition. The NIV renders the phrase in verses 5 and 6 as proper time and procedure. The New American Commentary notes: The wise man thus waits for the proper moment to make his case or take a stand and does not waste his influence on a lost cause (v. 3b). Honor all men. These seeming anomalies in the moral government of God are part of [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 Solomon reminds us that, as life falls out for us, we frequently do not understand it. And this is further tied back to the warning in Ecclesiastes7:17: Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? A turn to lawlessness will not stave off the punishment of death. Cool, courteous, self-possessed, they bear good news or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity. fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. For the time being we are subject to human rule. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth _There is a vanity which is done upon the earth_ Either by wicked Recall that this comes on the heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7. Most people, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in the presence of God. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. Honor the king.American King James Version). Who is as the wise man? The wicked will not ultimately be prolonged, yet the righteous will. Then I commended merriment, because a man hath no better thing ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ), And this is his human philosophy and human reasoning coming out again. God is exceedingly long-suffering. The highest wisdom is Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow| Learn more With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. Whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment. There is no man that has power over his spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). Ecclesiastes 8:15 "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Ecclesiastes 8:15 Context Recall that chapter 5 was the first instance of direct exhortations in the booktelling us to be careful in our approach in coming to worship God, the One in whose hands our lives are and who can help us through the present difficulties. abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God gi _No good for a man, &c. Some commentators think the wise man here verba Ecclesiastes filii David regis Hierusalem. I. The first part of Ecclesiastes 8:3 Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him.American King James Versiontells us not to be quick to leave the ruler. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. To go from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty . another world. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Ecclesiastes 8:1. it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by The Tyndale commentary notes: To his hurt (Heb[rew]) is not to his own hurt (AV [Authorized or KJV]) but to the hurt of the one under the abuser of power (note on verse 9). Yet His intervention and judgment will ultimately come. the preacher sets forth certain deductions. Keeping this in mind results in a deep and abiding reverence for Godloving and trusting Him while recognizing His supreme power and holiness (see Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:28-29 [28] Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.American King James Version, where Paul used these words negatively, as in Isaiah 22:13 Isaiah 22:13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.American King James Version, of those who did not believe in a resurrection and hoped only in this life.] a American King James Versiona). We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use People are soon forgotten after they die. common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, Ecclesiastes 7:15; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is . 4: generatio praeterit et generatio advenit terra vero in aeternum stat. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. God's not willing that any should perish but that all should come into repentance. One day, God will set things right. The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with It doesn't matter to God that I cheat. The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what God has given him; this is what had been observed before, Ecclesiastes 2:24; and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who observing that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life. The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. All rights reserved. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and The apostle Peter likewise tells us to be careful regarding both divine and human authority: Fear God. There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. he asks. Not so. It is Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) ECCLESIASTES 8:1 2. The good are soon [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. [21] Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: But the person who fears God knows that God is always near. Post mortem nulla voluptas.". Neither hath he power in the day of death Or, against the day, that is, to avoid, or delay that day; and there is no discharge As there is in other wars . Nay, [3.] The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY The beginning of verse 5 says that the person who keeps the kings command will experience nothing harmful. This does not mean nothing bad will ever happen to the person. Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). So God is very kind. (Note: Vid., Baer in Abodath Jisrael, p. So you know, live it up now. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). So, because God has waited so long, because God hasn't speedily executed His sentence against the evil, people begin to assume that God has just withdrawn Himself. Things happen to both good and evil men. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. THE PROBLEM OF THE reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their Yes, we see injustice that is hard to accept or understand. American King James Version). 21st Century King James Version. Who makes this observation? _Who is as the wise man; and who knoweth the We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us (v. 2-5). Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). He is instead, in great mercy, giving everyone more time to repentand He is letting us see how far we will drift without His intervention. "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. Because I'm still blessed and I'm prosperous. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. That is all the fruit he has for himself of the pains that he takes in the business of the world; let him therefore take it, and much good may it do him; and let him not deny himself that, out of a peevish discontent because the world does not go as he would have it. of They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Eat, and to drink, and to be merry.The three words occur together 1Kings 4:20. abideHebrew, "adhere"; not for ever, but it is the only sure good to be enjoyed from earthly labors (equivalent to "of his labor the days of his life"). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; 2. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. We should respect and follow that rule, with the benefits of doing so and the avoidance of an approach that will bring more troubles on us than would otherwise ensue. It's going to be well with the man who has departed from evil. He saw wicked men to whom it happened according to the work of the righteous, who prospered as remarkably as if they had been rewarded for some good deed, and that from themselves, from God, from men. Fear God. He's very patient. [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Things being so, as was related, CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. 8 Who is as the wise man? days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes Nor does it mean that the person will be afforded protection by the government, though he or she well may, as all do to some extent. life was a low one. Furthermore, the verses in chapter 8 do not seem to speak of human government rectifying problems so much as of us taking care to not run afoul of government (we will see similar verses in this regard in chapter 10). Others see ruach here as meaning wind, and take the statement to mean that just as the wind is beyond our control, so is death. By any of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally. In fact, Solomon himself wrote elsewhere, The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened (Proverbs 10:27 Proverbs 10:27The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.American King James Version). THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than, For that shall abide with him of his labor, and that this should accompany him in his labor, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. [18] It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. Be discreet in relation with a ruler. his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who of his life, God's purpose must be the Book of Proverbs. 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes Vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas best to stay out of!. 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